What Do You Call The Study Of Animals

Study Zoology: All you need to know

Author: — Terminal update: 11 August 2021

Zoology is the co-operative of Biological science dedicated to all aspects of fauna life – from anatomy and physiology, to evolution and husbandry. Information technology is a bailiwick for those who love animals and those who want to understand how the natural world works. As our awareness of environmental bug grows, and as our governments shift their priorities towards protecting and conserving the environment and wild fauna, so will Zoology exist an increasingly worthwhile subject to report.

What is Zoology?

Zoology is the co-operative of Biology that studies the animal kingdom. In a Zoology degree, you lot will learn about animal life from every betoken of view – including (only not limited to) microbiology, genetics, development, conservation, biodiversity, behaviour, physiology, ecosystems, and husbandry.

Zoology is often misunderstood equally a subject area. When y'all tell people that y'all are studying Zoology, many people volition answer with "so y'all're going to piece of work in a zoo?". And yes, if that is your chosen career path. Just you are simply equally likely to be found running a natural history museum, managing land for conservation, earthworks up a woolly mammoth, or working in a lab using genetics to save a species from extinction.

Where tin can I study Zoology?

Zoology as a stand up-alone degree programme exists at a number of universities in Europe, but it is very rare. Particularly at the undergraduate level information technology is much more than common to study e.thou. Biology or Life Sciences, and cover Zoology via specific modules as part of the plan.

At the postgraduate level, you lot will also oft observe specialised subjects such as Evolutionary Biology. Exist certain to look non only for programmes with "Zoology" in the name, simply cast your net a bit wider, especially if you desire to study in English in a not-English language speaking country.

Universities that offering Bachelors in Zoology, or closely related subjects:

Bangor University (Great britain)
Trinity College Dublin (TCD) (Ireland)
University of Aberdeen (UK)
Wageningen University & Enquiry (Netherlands)

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Universities that offer Masters in Zoology, or closely related subjects:

University of Aberdeen (UK)
Academy of Helsinki (Finland)
Wageningen University & Enquiry (Netherlands)

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Photo past Diego Madrigal

What can I expect to study in a Zoology Bachelor'due south programme?

Every bit with nigh scientific discipline courses, in a Zoology Bachelors, yous volition start broad and narrow down your speciality as you go. In the showtime yr, y'all tin can await to study general biology (including microbiology) and chemistry, as well as some broad topics such as ecology and environmental science.

Later the offset year you lot will report topics such equally (only non express to):

Genetics, embryology
Evolution, paleobiology
Epigenetics, environmental physiology
Fauna husbandry, behaviour, enrichment
Conservation, ecology, biodiversity
Freshwater biology, marine biology
Entomology, ornithology, herpetology, parasitology
Ethics, experiment and inquiry skills, data handling

A Zoology BSc programme volition typically concluding 3 to 4 years. Expect a mix of classroom learning, laboratory work and field work. Entry requirements will differ depending on the academy, but you tin expect to need passing grades in biological science, maths, and a second scientific discipline such as geography or chemistry.

Keep in mind that non many universities offer programmes wholly dedicated to Zoology. You may accept to study Biology and focus on Zoology through electives. Check the compulsory and optional modules to see how well they align with the subjects mentioned in a higher place.

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What tin can I await to study in a Zoology Primary's programme?

At the Master'south level you get the chance to specialise in a sure expanse of Zoology. Usually, your subject choice volition align with courses that you chose during your Bachelor'due south. For instance, a Master's programme on conservation or development will require you to have studied genetics throughout your undergrad.

Postgraduate courses are usually one or two years long. Like at the undergraduate level, they usually consist of a mix of classroom, laboratory, and field work.

Think carefully nearly the career you lot desire to pursue: Your Masters will play an important function in it. If you programme to stay in academia, with a PhD every bit the next step, your Masters should also marshal with the field that you want to focus your research on.

Access requirements for a Zoology Master can vary. Britain universities unremarkably ask for an upper 2nd-course Bachelor'southward degree (or "2.ane") to qualify. Likewise, if it is a highly specialised programme, yous may take to have a certain number of credit points in that specific field.

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What should I know about doing a PhD in Zoology?

A PhD is the highest academic degree you can accomplish, and it will require significant independent research work. If you are passionate about Zoology, and especially if you lot plan to pursue a career in academia, doing a PhD is something you should consider.

As in other sciences, a Zoology PhD will commonly final three to four years. Depending on your research project and your funding, it may besides take longer to finish. Don't underestimate this effort - it's a very challenging undertaking!

To exist accepted equally a doctorate pupil, nearly universities will require you to have an MSc in the field that you lot plan to focus on. Some universities may admit you with only a BSc if yous have received very good grades.

The best universities for Zoology

Many students like to use rankings to guide them when choosing a academy. Still, since Zoology as a carve up degree programme is offered just by few institutions, don't brand rankings your main decision commuter.

And because Zoology courses are relatively rare, at that place is also no specific ranking for them. The closest you tin get is the Shanghai Subject field Rankings for Biological Sciences and for Veterinary Sciences, both of which are closely related subject areas.

Here is a selection of loftier-ranking European universities in those league tables:

In Belgium: Ghent University; KU Leuven
In Finland: University of Helsinki; Tampere Academy
In Germany: LMU Munich
In the Netherlands: Wageningen University & Inquiry; Utrecht Academy
In Sweden: University of Gothenburg; Uppsala University
In the United Kingdom: Academy of Cambridge; Royal Veterinary College; Academy of Edinburgh

How to pick the right university for Zoology?

Universities all have their unique strengths. If you already know what career path you want to pursue after graduating from your Zoology program, endeavour to option a university that has connections to that.

For example, if you desire a career working in a natural history museum, then find universities that work closely with natural history museums or that have their own museum. If you want a career in animal husbandry, try to choose a university where there is a zoo, safari park or similar nearby.

Your university volition have connections that can help you get established. If y'all want to stay in academia, look at the postgraduate school and see what kinds of research the institution is known for, and what topics the current PhD students are working on.

Photo by Mathias Appel

How is studying Zoology different from Biology?

Biological science is the umbrella term for the scientific study of all living things. This includes animals, but also plants, fungi, and micro-organisms.

Zoology is a branch of Biology, and is focused on animal life. This will include some microbiology (single-celled organisms) but is more focused on multi-cellular life (such as Daphnia and plankton), invertebrates (insects, molluscs, etc.), and brute (birds, reptiles, mammals, etc.).

Zoology curricula besides include some phytology, but this will be in the context of animals. For example, how sure species of plants and animals interact with each other.

How is studying Zoology dissimilar from Animal Sciences?

Zoology and Fauna Sciences are closely related subjects, but focus on different things: While Zoology is concerned with all forms of animal life, Animal Sciences focuses on domesticated animals, specifically farm animals and pets. Brute Science is concerned with husbandry, breeding, wellness and well-being of such animals; and the subject rather belongs to the Agriculture field, whereas Zoology is commonly classified as a Natural Science.

Top reasons for studying Zoology

Zoology is i of those subjects that you cull considering you simply dearest it. Zoology students are some of the most passionate and energetic scientific discipline students because they take been waiting for this opportunity their whole lives! Not convinced yet? Hither are the main reasons that make Zoology a pick worth considering:

You get to work with or study animals: People who choose to report zoology are nature lovers. If you love animals, a career in this field may be the most rewarding path for y'all.
You can make a difference in the earth: Endless species effectually the earth are at risk of extinction. Zoologists are on the front line of conservation and work to salvage those species and their habitats. They are as well passionate about educational activity others near the animate being kingdom and the benefits of protecting the natural world.
You lot get to travel: Zoology is not but for the animal-lover, information technology is for the charlatan. You lot could discover yourself in some of the most unique and remote places on Earth to conduct your work.

Career options for Zoology graduates

In that location are a various range of careers and employers that will be interested in Zoology graduates. More and more, companies and government departments are dedicating resource to environmental causes. And thanks to efforts such as the European union Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 (details), Zoology graduates will be in growing demand equally we, as a society, motility towards a greener way of life.

What kinds of employers rent Zoology graduates?

Zoologists are needed at whatever organisation where animals play an of import role. Typical employers include, but are not limited to:

Zoos and wildlife parks
NGOs and charities that focus on wildlife
Government agencies and ecology protection agencies
Animal nutrition manufacturers
Museums
Universities and research institutions

Typical task titles and descriptions for Zoology graduates:

Animal husbandry professional: Be an expert in caring for domesticated animals. Ensure their health and enrichment.
Conservation officer: Manage and protect habitats to ensure their future.
Conservation geneticist: Utilise genetics to determine the wellness of creature populations and blueprint breeding programmes to ensure the time to come of a species.
Paleobiologist: Study extinct animals, from the dinosaurs to the woolly mammoth to the thylacine.
Field researcher: Travel the world, exploring the far reaches of habitats to discover and report species in their natural habitat.
Documentary maker: Bring the animal kingdom into people's homes. Testify and teach people about the natural earth by producing & filming wild animals documentaries.
Academic: Conduct your own research and teach the adjacent generation of zoologists.
Marine scientist: Specialise in ocean fauna. Protect whales, brainwash people about the true nature of sharks, or rebuild coral reefs.
Ecology consultant: Perform audits of habitats for their wellness and wealth and advise on how to protect them.
Environmental educator: Teach young people about nature and how they tin protect it.

The requirements for entry level jobs will vary, depending on the position. Other than a good terminal marking on your degree, your applied experience (piece of work and volunteering) will be very valuable in securing you your first job.

Does studying Zoology mean I'll work in a zoo?

"Zoology" has "zoo" right in the name, nonetheless that is only one of many career options for which your degree volition qualify you. If you practice want to piece of work in a zoo, make sure to tailor your courses towards animate being husbandry and behaviour.

Nevertheless, if yous want to get in another direction, pick your academy and your elective modules in line with that. If you lot desire to piece of work in conservation, and then genetics, biodiversity, and ecology courses will exist for you. If you want to be a palaeontologist, focus on anatomy and development.

Zoology studies the animal kingdom from multiple unlike angles, so discuss your career goals with the university and they will assistance you tailor your course.

What advice practice yous have for a Zoology pupil?

Careers working with animals are highly competitive. There can be hundreds of applicants for each available position, and the people who get the jobs tend to stay in them. Therefore, commencement networking equally early on equally possible. If you know the job that you eventually want, seek out relevant volunteering opportunities and summer jobs. This will not only aid you build your experience merely also your reputation. The zoological world is small, and a good reputation and strong network volition exist of huge benefit to you. Volunteering or working with animals involves a range of practical skills, as well as bookish noesis. And then, any volunteering or work experience you lot tin can go will exist very valuable

As in all scientific disciplines, learn adept lab skills! Larn to be confident and competent at basic skills such as how to correctly weigh and measure samples, preparing microscope slides, how to record and manage information properly, et cetera. It will make a huge difference to your zoological career. If you want to exercise field work, learning good "out on the ground" skills such as camping, hiking, and first assist are beneficial. If you want to work in fauna husbandry (in a zoo or safari park for example), knowing how to employ ability tools is oddly useful, every bit you lot will want to be able to build habitats and enrichment. Zoology tin can take y'all to some remote places, then having a driver's license is a bonus.

A word of alert nearly getting a BSc Zoology: The value and content of your degree may be misunderstood. People who are not from a Zoology background exercise not ever know what is included in a typical curriculum. You lot might accept studied every microbiology grade available, merely the person hiring for the graduate task in the laboratory volition just see the word "zoo" and dismiss you every bit a professional person koala cuddler. If you want more than options in your science career, consider choosing Biology as your degree subject field, and venture into Zoology via elective modules.

What are similar subjects I could study?

Zoology is a diverse field in itself, but perhaps it is not quite the subject you were looking for. If yous like some aspects about it, but not some others, in that location are numerous alternatives to a Zoology degree that too offer a wealth of opportunities:

Animal Sciences: Similar Zoology, this subject focuses on animals, but specifically domesticated animals that are used by humans. Typically, Animal Sciences graduates end up working in the Agronomics industry.
Life Sciences: Many universities offer degrees in what they call "Life Sciences", and this is often a broad term for a diverseness of Biology-related subjects. Check the curricula to find something that excites you.
Biological science: Biology is an incredibly diverse scientific discipline with many more areas to specialise in.
Marine Biology: Report the habitats and life forms of the ocean.
Ecology: Larn how different organisms interact with each other and their environment.
Ecology Management: Monitor and manage irresolute in habitats and ensure the protection and optimisation of natural environments.
Veterinary Medicine: Care for and manage all diseases, disorders and ailments that affect animals.

Find study programmes in Zoology

42 Zoology Programmes in Europe

Dee is an skillful on all things living and animate and has spent many years studying and working abroad. She has a BSc in Zoology from the University of Aberdeen (UK) and an MSc in Imaging & Microscopy from Academy College Dublin (Ireland), as well every bit a Diploma in Counselling Studies from Dublin Business organization School. She is the writer of "Introduction to Low-cal Microscopy" (Springer).

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